The phytogeography and genetic diversity of the weedy hydrophyte, Pistia stratiotes L
2022
Pistia stratiotes is a pantropical floating weed that is problematic in many regions of the world, including Florida, USA. Questions regarding the origins and relationships of P. stratiotes populations worldwide, and especially in Florida, prompted a molecular investigation using five chloroplast and one mitochondrial DNA sequences. The data show that P. stratiotes comprises a minimum of seven distinct genotypic clades worldwide, four of which differ enough to possibly represent different species. Florida, which was more heavily sampled than other regions of the world, contains four of the clades - one of which shows evidence of being pan-Caribbean with sufficient variation to suggest regional (including Florida) nativity. A second clade, present in the U.S. Gulf States and California, is also probably native within this range but likely more broadly present throughout the Americas. Another clade, predominant in southern Florida and the St. Johns River, likely originated in South America. Results are discussed in the larger context of the effects of cryptic species on weed management, including biological control efforts.
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